Wofford touted by The Princeton Review

‘Fantastic’ option for prospective students, college guide says

2018-08-07

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Calling Wofford College “a fantastic option for students seeking a ‘rigorous’ liberal arts experience,” The Princeton Review again has included the college in its 2019 edition of its flagship college guide, “The Best 384 Colleges,” released this week.

The Princeton Review’s two-page profile of Wofford highlights academics, campus life and attributes of the student body as well as information on admission and financial aid. The profile is based primarily on surveys of students. Wofford has been included in the annual prestigious best colleges guide since its inception in 1992.

“It is an honor for Wofford College to be recognized consistently as one of the country’s best institutions of higher education,” says Wofford President Nayef Samhat. “Our outstanding and transformative academic and residential liberal arts experience puts us among the best in the country, and we are pleased to receive this recognition from a highly respected college guide.”

The guide’s editors write, quoting students who were surveyed, “Most impressively, undergrads here (at Wofford) have the opportunity to ‘network with highly influential people’ and participate in ‘an outstanding study abroad program.’”

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“Wofford is committed to connecting our students with the world through immersive study, research and intern abroad opportunities,” says Amy Lancaster, dean of international programs. “We believe the experience earned abroad is one that will prepare our students for responsible citizenship in their local and global communities, and for that reason, study abroad is ingrained in Wofford’s culture.

“It’s part of our mission to make education abroad accessible to all students through the transfer of financial aid for semester study abroad, offering additional grants for short-term study abroad, a seamless academic credit transfer policy and special initiatives to recruit traditionally underrepresented student groups,” Lancaster continues, adding that 64 percent of the college’s students study abroad by the time they graduate, some more than once. “We offer programs in approximately 70 countries for a variety of academic disciplines and interests.”

The Princeton Review also highlights the “passionate, well-educated” and accessible faculty as well as Wofford’s close-knit community. “Best of all, ‘each person, whether in the dining hall or the classroom, is there for your success. Knowing that we have these amazing adults there for us no matter what is something that allows us to thrive and become the best personal versions of ourselves,’” its editors write.

For fun outside of the classroom, Wofford students spend time at the gym – working out, playing games or participating in various classes – hanging out in the Burwell Dining Hall, playing sand volleyball and dancing to live music at the Stewart H. Johnson Greek Village and enjoying a variety of campus events, such as trivia nights, concerts and other cultural events, the guide says.

Students are quoted as saying their peers are “kind,” “friendly” and often embody “Southern hospitality,” and that they view each other as “family.” Some also told editors that Wofford has “many international students from various countries as well as American students from all across the country from all financial backgrounds.” The guide continues: “Regardless of where they come from, undergrads say it is very ‘easy to connect with most other students’ and that everyone is ‘respectful and kind toward one another.’”

The institutions “stand out for their outstanding academics and their affordability via generous financial aid to students with need and/or comparatively low sticker prices,” editor-in-chief Robert Franek said.

Wofford also recently was ranked in Kiplinger’s Personal Finance’s “300 Best College Values for 2018,” at #128 among all colleges and universities in the list and #61 among national liberal arts colleges. The college consistently lands on other “best value” lists in national college guide publications, including Forbes, Money and U.S. News & World Report. The New York Times has recognized Wofford as a college “doing the most for the American Dream,” making a college education possible for low-income students.